U.S. patent application number 13/393741 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for conductive floating pipe assembly clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tyler Christensen Child, Jason Anthony Graham, Hajime Igami, Tetsuhiro Ito, Brandon Wilbert Ollanketo, Christopher M. Pangallo, Timothy D. Pearson, Scott Jeffrey Volchko, Chunnan Zhou.
Application Number | 20120153095 13/393741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43129163 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120153095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Child; Tyler Christensen ;
et al. |
June 21, 2012 |
CONDUCTIVE FLOATING PIPE ASSEMBLY CLIP
Abstract
An isolating clip for holding tubes, fluid lines and the like is
provided with a rigid outer shell and a flexible insert. The insert
includes an outer body and a tube seat suspended from the outer
body by flexible connectors. Bumpers can be provided in the space
between the outer body and tube seat to limit deflection of the
tube seat.
Inventors: |
Child; Tyler Christensen;
(Hillard, OH) ; Graham; Jason Anthony; (Delware,
OH) ; Igami; Hajime; (Dublin, OH) ; Ito;
Tetsuhiro; (Dublin, OH) ; Ollanketo; Brandon
Wilbert; (Dublin, OH) ; Pangallo; Christopher M.;
(Frankfort, IL) ; Pearson; Timothy D.; (Palos
Hills, IL) ; Volchko; Scott Jeffrey; (Dublin, OH)
; Zhou; Chunnan; (Northbrook, IL) |
Assignee: |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Tokyo
IL
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Glenview
|
Family ID: |
43129163 |
Appl. No.: |
13/393741 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 31, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/47317 |
371 Date: |
March 1, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61239250 |
Sep 2, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/68.1 ;
248/74.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 55/035 20130101;
F16L 3/2235 20130101; F16L 3/237 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/68.1 ;
248/74.2 |
International
Class: |
F16L 3/237 20060101
F16L003/237; F16L 3/08 20060101 F16L003/08 |
Claims
1. An isolating clip comprising: a rigid outer clamp connectable to
an assembly; an insert on the clamp, the insert being of softer
material than the clamp; and said insert including an outer body, a
tube seat spaced from said outer body and at least one discrete
flexible connector between said outer body and said tube seat.
2. The clip of claim 1, further including a plurality of said
discrete flexible connectors between said outer body and said tube
seat.
3. The clip of claim 2, including at least one bumper between
adjacent flexible connectors, said at least one bumper spanning
some of the distance between said outer body and said tube seat and
being connected to only one of said outer body and said tube
seat.
4. The clip of claim 3, said rigid outer clamp and said insert
having cooperative physical structures allowing said insert to be
placed in said rigid outer clamp in only one orientation.
5. The clip of claim 4, said cooperative physical structures
including complementary protrusions and cutouts.
6. The clip of claim 1, said rigid outer clamp and said insert
having cooperative physical structures allowing said insert to be
placed in said rigid outer clamp in only one orientation.
7. The clip of claim 1, said rigid outer clamp including a first
shell, a second shell and a hinge connecting said first and second
shells.
8. The clip of claim 7, said insert including a first insert half
held in said first shell and a second insert half held in said
second shell.
9. The clip of claim 8, each of said first insert half and said
second insert half having an outer body and a tube seat connected
by flexible connectors.
10. The clip of claim 9, including bumpers between adjacent
connectors, said bumpers projecting from said outer bodies toward
said tube seats and being spaced from said tube seats.
11. The clip of claim 9, each of said first insert half and said
second insert half having two tube seats and an outer body
connected by flexible connectors.
12. The clip of claim 11, including bumpers projecting from said
outer bodies toward said tube seats between adjacent flexible
connectors.
13. The clip of claim 11, said outer bodies and said tube seats
having a depth dimension between opposite sides, and said flexible
connectors extending said depth dimension.
14. The clip of claim 13, including bumpers projecting from said
outer bodies toward said tube seats between adjacent flexible
connectors.
15. An isolating clip, comprising: a rigid outer clamp connectable
to an assembly; an insert of softer material on the clamp, the
insert including an outer body connected to the outer clamp and a
tube seat suspended from the outer body by a plurality of discrete
flexible connectors; and said insert and said clamp having
poka-yoke structural features limiting assembly to proper
orientation and inhibiting insert dislodgement from the completed
clip assembly.
16. The clip of claim 15, said insert having protrusions and said
outer clamp having cutouts configured for receiving said
protrusions.
17. An isolating clip, comprising: a rigid outer clamp having a
first shell and a second shell connectable to one another; an
insert of material softer than said rigid outer clamp, said insert
being held in said outer clamp and including a first retainer
insert half held in said first shell and a second retainer insert
half held in said second shell; said first retainer insert half
including a first outer body connected to said first shell, a tube
seat suspended from said first outer body by a plurality of
discrete flexible connectors, and at least one bumper spanning some
but less than all of the space defined between said first outer
body and said tube seat suspended from said first outer body; and
said second retainer insert half including a second outer body
connected to said second shell, a tube seat suspended from said
second outer body by a plurality of discrete flexible connectors,
and at least one bumper spanning some but less than all of the
space defined between said second outer body and said tube seat
suspended from said second outer body.
18. The isolating clip of claim 17, each said first retainer insert
half and said second retainer insert half including two tube seats
suspended from said outer bodies thereof.
19. The isolating clip of claim 18, including a hinge connecting
said first and second shells to each other, and cooperating locking
features on said first and second shells for securing said shells
to each other.
20. The isolating clip of claim 17, said outer bodies and said tube
seats having a depth dimension between opposite sides, and said
flexible connectors extending said depth dimension.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/239,250 filed Sep. 2, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to clips and
fasteners for holding lines, tubes and the like in assemblies. More
specifically, the invention relates to clips for holding fuel lines
in automobiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Holding devices, sometimes referred to as "clips," are used
for routing items such as flexible tubing, rigid tubes, wires, rods
and the like in many different assemblies. Holding devices for this
purpose are known to include some type of anchoring fixture for
securing the holding device to the object on which it is used and a
retainer structure that holds and secures the flexible tubing,
rigid tube, wires, rod or other item or thing that is to be held in
position relative to the anchoring object.
[0004] Holding devices of the type described are used extensively
in the automotive industry for routing fuel lines, brake lines,
wires and the like. In some of these applications and uses, it is
desirable to provide some degree of vibration isolation between the
item being held and the object to which the holding device is
attached. For example, when routing fuel lines, brake lines and the
like in an automobile, the mounting clips are secured to frame
members, engine components and the like. Fuel lines can be the
source of significant vibration. Conductance of vibration from fuel
lines to vehicle frames or bodies is undesirable in that line fuel
line vibration can noise in the passenger compartment.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable and advantageous to provide a
clip for holding fuel lines and the like that provides fixed,
relative positioning to ensure that the fuel line remains where
routed yet suspends the fuel line in a forgiving retainer to
protect inhibit the transfer of noise and vibration.
[0006] "Poka-yoke" is a term meaning to make fail-safe or
mistake-proof. In manufacturing and assembly disciplines, the term
poka-yoke has been popularized recently when applied to processes
and designs that help an assembler or operator to complete an
assigned task in a proper manner, to ensure product quality at the
time of assembly. The design or process directs or constrains human
actions to a proper manner for completing the tasks, and/or
immediately highlights an error so that corrective action can be
taken in a timely manner. Poka-yoke designs for related parts in an
assembly may enable the part to be assembled in only one way,
and/or may provide an appearance indicating to observers that
incorrect assembly has been performed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A conductive floating pipe assembly clip has a rigid outer
structure and a more flexible inner structure for engaging a tube
or pipe. The inner structure further includes a tube seat directly
contacting the tube or pipe. The tube seat is suspended by discrete
flexible connectors from an outer body of the inner structure.
Bumpers can be the provided between the outer body and the tube
seat to limit deflection of the inner seat.
[0008] In one aspect of a form thereof, a clip is provided with a
rigid outer clamp connectable to an assembly and an insert held in
the clamp, the insert being of softer material than the clamp. The
insert includes an outer body, a tube seat spaced from the outer
body and at least one discrete flexible connector between the outer
body and the tube seat.
[0009] In another aspect of a form thereof, a clip is provided with
a rigid outer clamp connectable to an assembly and an insert of
softer material held in the clamp. The insert includes an outer
body and a tube seat suspended from the outer body by a plurality
of discrete flexible connectors. The insert and clamp have
poka-yoke construction limiting assembly to proper orientation and
inhibiting insert dislodgement from the completed assembly.
[0010] In a further aspect of a form thereof, an isolating clip is
provided with a rigid outer clamp having a first shell and a second
shell connectable to one another and an insert of material softer
than the rigid outer clamp. The insert is held in the outer clamp
and includes a first retainer insert half held in the first shell
and a second retainer insert half held in the second shell. The
first retainer insert half includes a first outer body connected to
the first shell, a tube seat suspended from the first outer body by
a plurality of discrete flexible connectors, and at least one
bumper spanning some but less than all of the space defined between
the first outer body and the tube seat suspended from the first
outer body. The second retainer insert half includes a second outer
body connected to the second shell, a tube seat suspended from the
second outer body by a plurality of discrete flexible connectors,
and at least one bumper spanning some but less than all of the
space defined between the second outer body and the tube seat
suspended from the second outer body.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals
are used to designate like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conductive floating pipe
assembly clip;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the clip shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the clip;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view similar to that of FIG. 3, but
taken from a different angle; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the full clip shown in FIGS. 1
and 2
[0017] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising"
and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and
equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, numeral 10
designates a conductive floating pipe assembly clip suitable for
holding a fuel line or other conducting conduit in an automobile.
Clip 10 includes a substantially rigid clamp 12 that is connected
to the vehicle in some suitable manner, and a softer tube retainer
insert 14 held within the clamp, retainer insert 14 being the
portion of clip 10 that directly engages the fuel lines. Clamp 12
and retainer insert 14 can be made of conductive plastics to assist
in the dissipation of static charges that could otherwise build on
the assembly.
[0019] With reference now to FIG. 2, clamp 12, which can be a hard
plastic formed by molding, includes a first shell 16 and a second
shell 18 pivotally connected about a hinge 20. A female locking
feature 22 and a male locking feature 24 are provided on first and
second shells 16 and 18, respectively. Shells 16, 18 are pivotal
relative to each other about hinge 20 between an opened position
for assembly (FIG. 5) and a closed and locked position in which
male locking feature 24 is received in and engaged with female
locking feature 22 (FIGS. 1 & 2). Clamp 12 is further
configured for attachment to anchoring structure in the automobile,
and in the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings includes a
stud retention feature 26 for engaging a stud 28 that is anchored
to the vehicle. It should be understood that various other types of
anchoring structures can be used by which clip 10 is secured in an
assembly such as an automobile, or in other assembles.
[0020] Retainer insert 14, which can be a softer thermoplastic
elastomer, also can be formed by molding. Retainer 14 includes
cooperating first and second retainer insert halves 40, 42. First
retainer insert half 40 is held in first shell 16 and second
retainer insert half 42 is held in second shell 18. Numerous
complementary features can be provided on first and second shells
16, 18 and first and second retainer insert halves 40, 42 for
properly securing and locating the positions of the retainer insert
halves in the shells. For example, posts 44, 46 on shells 16, 18
engage apertures 48, 50 in retainer insert halves 40, 42 in the
exemplary embodiment shown. One or several individual protrusions
52, 54 on retainer insert halves 40, 42 are cooperatively received
in cutouts 56, 58 along the adjoining surfaces of shells 16, 18.
The arrangement and positioning of the various complementary
protrusion 52, 54 and cutout 56, 58 features secure first and
second retainer insert halves 40, 42 within first and second shells
16, 18 and prevent the unintended dislodgment of the retainer
insert halves from the shells if pushed in either direction toward
the front or back of the clip relative to the positions of the clip
in the various views of the drawings. The arrangement and
positioning of the various complementary protrusion 52, 54 and
cutout 56, 58 features also promote proper orientation and
positioning of the first and second retainer insert halves during
assembly by preventing inadvertent improper positioning of the
components relative to one another. Protrusions 52, 54 and cutouts
56, 58 allow assembly of retainer insert halves 40, 42 in only the
proper orientation within shells 16, 18 and establish abutments
against movement of the retainer insert halves within the shells
after the shells have been closed and locked in the closed position
(so called "poka-yoke" construction).
[0021] First and second retainer insert halves 40, 42 each include
an outer body 60, 62 and a pair of suspended tube seats, with tube
seats 64, 66 shown in first retainer insert half 40 and tube seats
68 and 70 shown in second retainer insert half 42. In the exemplary
embodiment shown, tube seats 64 and 70 cooperate to receive and
surround a first fuel line (not shown) and tube seats 66, 68
cooperate to receive and surround a second fuel line (not shown).
Accordingly, clip 10 can hold two lengths of fuel line; however, it
should be understood that the present invention can be used on
clips intended to hold a single fuel line or more than two fuel
lines as well as brake lines, tubes and/or conduits of other types
and for other purposes.
[0022] Tube seats 64, 66, 68, 70 are connected to the respective
outer bodies 60, 62 by pluralities of flexible connectors 80, 82,
84, 86 respectively. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three
connectors are provided between each tube seat and the outer body
to which the tube seat is connected. Accordingly, three connectors
80 connected tube seat 64 to outer body 60 and three connectors 82
connect tube seat 66 also to outer body 60. Three connectors 84 and
three connectors 86 connect tube seats 68 and 70, respectively, to
outer body 62. It should be understood that more connectors or
fewer connectors can be used, depending on the desired robustness
or flexibility for the tube seats relative to the retainer outer
bodies and/or clip. Material selection also can be used to achieve
the desired characteristics. Further, connectors 80, 82, 84, 86 can
be provided the full depth of the space between opposite sides of
the tube seat and retainer outer body, as shown in the exemplary
embodiment; or connectors can be provided in some dimension less
than the full depth dimension, to further vary the desired
characteristics of robustness and flexibility. Still further, the
distance between the tube seats 64, 66, 68, 70 and retainer outer
bodies 60, 62 can be altered to achieve desired connector heights
to provide desired flexibility in connection with material
selection, connector frequency and positioning and connector size
including width as well as height and depth.
[0023] In some applications and uses for clips, it may be desirable
to provide a high degree of flexibility but limit the maximum
deflection that can occur. Accordingly, bumpers 90, 92, 94, 96 can
be provided in different sizes and frequencies between adjacent
connectors 80, 82, 84, 86 projecting into the space between the
retainer outer bodies 60, 62 and tube seats 64, 66, 68 and 70.
Bumpers 90, 92, 94, 96 limit the maximum deflection of tube seats
64, 66, 68, 70 and serve as shock absorbers to movement if
contacted by a tube seat. Further, if tube seats 64, 66, 68, 70
were deflected toward and against retainer bodies 60, 62; large
areas of contact could be created. Large areas of contact allow
greater transfer of vibrations from tubes in tube seats 64, 66, 68,
70 through the outer bodies 60, 62 and then to the structure to
which clip 10 is connected. Bumpers 90, 92, 94, 96 limit the area
of contact, and thereby limit the transfer of vibrations. In the
exemplary embodiment shown, bumpers 90, 92, 94, 96 are contiguous
with outer bodies 60, 62 and project toward tube seats 64, 66, 68
and 70, respectively. It should be understood, however, that to
meet stiffness and flexibility characteristics desired, bumpers can
be contiguous with the tube seats and project therefrom toward the
outer bodies. The bumpers can project through substantially the
entire void between the outer bodies and tube seats or can project
some minimal distance across the open space. The remaining void
between the distal end of the bumpers and the confronting surface
of the tube seats or outer bodies determines the amount of
deflection permitted before the bumpers provide backing against
further deflection.
[0024] Multiple layers of isolation are provided for a tube, fluid
line or the like held in clip 10 from transfer of vibration and
other movements to the structure to which clip 10 is connected. A
first level of isolation is provided at the interface of the
softer, more flexible material of first retainer insert half 40 and
second retainer insert half 42 held in the more rigid material of
first and second shells 16, 18. Further isolation is provided by
the suspended relationship of tube seats 64, 66, 68, 70 in outer
bodies 60, 62. Flexible connectors 80, 82, 84, 86 provide further
isolation of tube seats 64, 66, 68, 70 from transferring vibration
and movement to clamp 12. Bumpers 90, 92, 94, 96 can limit the
maximum deflection of tube seat 64, 66, 68, 70. The clamshell
design allows clip 10 to be clamped around tubes or the like by
relative rotation between first shell 16 and second shuttle 18
about hinge 20. Locking features 22, 24 hold shells 16, 18 securely
closed with a first pipe, tube, conduit or the like secured within
an opening 100 defined between first tube seat 64 and fourth tube
seat 70 and a second pipe, tube, conduit or the like secured within
an opening 102 defined between second tube seat 66 and third tube
seat 68.
[0025] While described herein as separate parts assembled together
after individual formation, it should be understood that tube
retainer 14 also can be overmolded directly on to clamp 12, to be
held on clamp 12. After molding first shell 16 and/or second shell
18, first retainer insert half 40 can be overmolded on to first
shell 16 and second retainer insert half 42 can be overmolded on to
second shell 18. Overmolding processes suitable to form first
retainer insert half 40 on first shell 16 and second retainer
insert half 42 on second shell 18 are well-known in the plastics
molding industry.
[0026] Further, it should be understood that that the basic
concepts for tube isolation described herein can be achieved with
constructions different from those of the exemplary embodiment
shown. Other geometries can be used for securing a tube retainer in
a clamp or other main body portion, and other geometries can be
used for retaining a tube or fluid line in the retainer. The fully
encircling embodiment shown is merely exemplary. The clamp need not
be fully encircling of the retainer, so long as the retainer is
held securely, including by structure or by overmolding. The
retainer need not be fully encircling of the tube, conduit or other
held item, so long as the tube, conduit or other held item is held
securely.
[0027] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0028] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *